Instant Access | Shoe Daydreams

Instant Access – 12/4 – 1/22

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Shoe Daydreams

I can’t believe that it has been more than a month since I’ve done an Instant Access recap. But given all the craziness of the last few weeks, I feel like (except for the last two weeks of the year), I’ve been running from one thing to another. From my grandmother passing away and having to travel for that, to ending at one job, starting another, traveling for work and then for fun, it’s been a whirlwind!

There were, of course, plenty of polish changes including…

Essie’s Luxeffects Set In Stones

China Glaze’s Mistletoe Kisses

China Glaze’s Party Hearty over Essie’s Marshmallow

Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects in Peppermint Twist

OPI’s Russian Navy (suede)

OPI’s Warm & Fozzie

A half-moon manicure with Zoya’s Pasha over OPI’s Designer… De Better!

And my favorite red, China Glaze’s Phat Santa.

Christmas was fun and quiet. The dogs were excited for their gifts.

And, among other things, I got the Miu Miu glasses I’d been pining for.

Picked up more Salon Effects – Love Letter, Brattlesnake and Sweet Tart-an

I’m ready for the time to change and more sun, so I’m already putting out my Valentine’s Day centerpiece.

And did I mention we brought home Briar the goat. You have to check out all the pictures!

My new job and been going well. Busy but good. I’ve used my little Lunch-Crock nearly every day. This is the best thing if you hate planning for lunch. I just plug it in and lunch is all warm and ready when I am.

I have an actual office with a door, so I’m very excited. Walls! I’ve brought in some pictures and met some people. I have a Twin Star at work who loves a lot of the same things and happens to have the funniest blog ever! You have to go read some of her hilarious day to day life (she actually talked about me on there too. Ha!)

I hope your weeks have been going well too! It’s a new year and there’s lots to do.

Instant Access – 11/7 – 12/3

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

I swear once the year hits September, the days and weeks just fly by until the end of the year. There is so much going on it feels like we need 3 extra weekends a month just to fit it in.

And the weather has been crazy here too. From days in the 70s around Thanksgiving to rain to cold-cold-cold! What’s going on.

Just from looking at all the recent shoes that happened these past weeks, you can see how all over the place the temperatures have been.

Manolo Blahnik Erratic mary janes with tonal fishnet tights…

The Aldo leopard slipper loafers came in from ASOS and were promptly worn.

I love these mustard tights, especially with warm brown.

Gossip girl inspired outfits and spat-style boots…

Short-work-week Converse.

And a sneak peak at some early Resort/Spring Blahnik Sammys

Finally there was some tight-wearing weather so I got to wear these new dotted Hue tights.

But then it was warm enough for bringing out my easily 10-year-old Jimmy Choos.

I do love some of the details in my shoes, like these little cutouts on my Report pumps.

And as many shoe changes, there were almost as many new polishes combos to try. From China Glaze’s It’s Alive (a wonderful dark green glitter)…

to Revlon’s Starry Pink over Revlon’s Metallic

Essie’s Forget Me Knot (which was worn with the ASOS heart sweater below and matched perfectly!) …

The coveted OPI Rainbow Connection

A perfect gray – OPI’s Concrete Catwalk

And another shimmery green in Zoya’s Edyta

I did get one day of wearing some fabulously tonal accessories.

And it’s the season of shopping to, so I may have bought a few things, like a new macro lens for my DSLR.

A few necessaries at Ulta

Chanel’s Rouge Allure Velvet matte lipsticks had to be mine.

Okay, so I went a bit overboard on the nail polish deals on Amazon.

My Express sparkly skirt was even more magical in person. I’m in love!

Hearts and dots!

And TONS of baking!!!!

Apple oat muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate chip

Birthday surprise cake pops

And libations galore…

Cheers!

Instant Access – 10/24 – 11/6

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

It’s finally Fall!!!

We drove over to Asheville for the day to do an errand and saw some great leaf action. There were rumors of snow flurries so I pulled out my coat and blue/brown faux hat, but it was so pretty I didn’t even need it.

The animals are loving the weather too. Kitties in the windows, Jake and Meg scratching around and the goats are all frisky!

Special breakfast for one…

More flats if you can believe it. These sequined skimmers from Alloy were so pretty I got all three colors. They were only $30 each AND I had a $20 off the total order coupon code. Score!

The A. Wang Anais silver loafer heels. Murderously high but so gorgeous!

The Betsey Johnson satin-lined boots were a bit easier on the ankles.

And of course fun manicures for Halloween – spider web nails…

And glow-in-the-dark zombie nails.

The weeks ended on a scarier note than Halloween… trying to sync and update my iPhone and iPad. Why is it such a pain?!?!?

But all my apps are back and the weather is fine. Hope your week went well too!

Instant Access – 9/26 – 10/23

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

It’s been a busy few weeks around here. Furniture Market for my clients, a trip to New York to work with some blogger friends, a brief bout with a cold, opening our pub, backyard movie nights and spending time getting ready for the cooler seasons while finding them already upon us.
In the midst of that are, of course, shoes!

From my copper Marc Jacobs’ oxfords…

Candy colored Converse….

Acquisitions over the last few months required a reworking of the shoe cabinets. Only the extra special ones get prime placement…

While giving the cabinets a reshuffle, I played with some old friends, including Fendi’s Cinderellas…

Louboutin…

YSL…

A random Tuesday needed some sparkle…

And then there were two pairs that I’ve been pining for. First, the super shiny Alexander Wang tasseled pumps…

And then the over-the-top glitter Miu Miu sneakers….

Did the whole Seasonal Swap of clothes where I realize I have way too many grey and black sweaters.

Oh, yeah, my other obsession nail polish.

China Glaze’s Phat Santa is my new favorite red.

Sally Hansen’s Halloween designs are so fun. This is Numbskull…

To match my new glitter sneakers I wore black matte tips and black shatter over China Glaze’s Midnight Kiss.

In between all the hubbub, I found a few moments to nap in the hammock.

While others hogged the heated bed on a chilly night.

Oh yeah, I found this guy – a stapleless stapler!

Fall is starting off amazing!

Instant Access – 9/12 – 9/25

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

These past few weeks have been challenging. But we are all together. We drove to Illinois again, this time for the memorial for my Father-in-Law. It was a beautiful event. Hudreds of people attended and it took almost 3 hours for everyone to come through. It was a great testimony to how beloved he was. These flowesrs were the centerpiece of the event and were so joyful and stunning and perfect.

We went through woods, over rivers and under mountains….

The dogs are great car companions…

What are you reading now???

My nails have been trashed lately, but I’m keeping them somewhat polished. This is Deborah Lippmann’s Naked with Essie’s Midnight Cami and China Glaze’s Midnight Kiss dots using my new dotting tool (which I LOVE).

I have a problem. More new polish…

And my new bracelet from Rahya Designs via Miss Malprop was a sunny spot to my day.

I hope you had a good week!

Instant Access – 8/29 – 9/11

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

I’m investing in my nails big time. Or as big time as nail stuff can be. Sure it adds up but the low buy-in of polish has me hooked. Even the Konad stamping sets aren’t that much. I got a bunch of the special polishes and plates. Now I just need to get some skill!

This is sort of a abstract “moon” manicure using OPI Bubblebath and silver glitter moons.

Revlon Red…

My “Tiffany Box” inspired manicure using white and Revlon’s Blue Lagoon.

I really love matte polish. This is Zoya’s Matte Velvet Lacquer in Lolly

Do I say this for every pair??? My Celeine’s are one of my favorites. Silver croc print and a buckle. How can you go wrong?

The Louboutin Freddys made an appearance too.

This book is amazing. I can’t believe I haven’t read it sooner.

I love Chanel No 19 perfume. The new Poudre version is lovely as well.

Colors! I love a good Sharpie, but…

I use fountain pens more. This is my Verona pen that I fill with pink ink.

My neighbors held a bomb-diggity dance party too, so we danced the night away under the full moon and the stars.

My dog was not so energetic.

On a very sad note, my wonderful Father-in-Law passed away on Friday. We miss him terribly. We’ve found all the great shots of him and I just love this one. So snazzy.

It will be a busy week for us, so please forgive me if I’m not too communicative. I hope you have and had a wonderful week.

Instant Access – 8/13 – 8/28

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

Hello from Shoe World!

I’m sorry it’s been sort of quiet around here. We’ve been dealing with car repairs, work, 12-hour-each-way car trips, earthquakes and hurricanes! How are things in your world?

But there are still shoes, right?

I needed to get in these two beauties before winter takes away all my wearing opportunities – Christian Louboutin Very Prive in cork and neon green suede Manolo Blahnik BBs.

Manicures are still happening too –

Cute polishes from Lé Métier de Beauté – above is the Bergdorf Goodman custom polish Lavande and below is the new copper, Silk Road.

My first attempt with a flower! Sally Hansen Ice Queen over Sally Hansen Lavender Cloud.

Within all the crazy times we did find time to go to this great architectural salvage place. I’m in love with these pastel sinks.

These shades would be great in a powder room…

We ended up with these light covers. They are going to be painted and go in our upstairs bedrooms. Finished pictures someday soon, I hope!

We made the drive to Chicago to visit family. Car trip means I can use some of my favorite luggage like my vintage American Tourister Tiara case… holding shoes, of course!

The pups came with us. They are great car companions, even on a 12 hour trip.

Hope you made it through the crazy weather okay. Now, back to posting.

Poochie

Instant Access – 8/1 – 8/12

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Shoe Daydreams

Sorry for the quietness around here, folks. As you saw in my previous post, I was away for a little R&R at my favorite hotel in one of my favorite cities.

The special occasion? My birthday!

I wore a crazy headpiece for the occasion.

With a big poofy skirt and sparkly Manolos!

Because we were going away for the trip (and lovely spa time), my gifty-gifts were small but fun… two kate spade iPhone cases I wanted!

Oh, and delicious vegan truffles that were inhaled asap!

I pulled out my favorite luggage – my dreamy Dooney & Burke heart case and packed it with the essentials – books, pink playing cards, a swim suit, strappy sandals and a floaty mullet skirt.

When we got to Asheville, we found the most gorgeous new bookstore – Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar.

Vintage books, champagne bar and dog-friendly. It really is perfection

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is really amazing. Filled with history, gorgeous furnishings and a world-class spa.

And you can’t beat the views…

Asheville is an amazing town for food, especially if you are vegan. We ate at all our favorites including a new addition, Rosetta’s Kitchen. The vegan queso is truly delish as was the tempeh reuben that I had.

Did I mention the liquid truffle and the sipping chocolate with rose from French Broad Chocolate Lounge?

Hotel picnic!

It was an amazing few days. Can I go back now???

I had some fancy fingers too – this is Deborah Lippmann’s Glitter In The Air over Essie’s Borrowed & Blue.

And the best “pretty pretty princess magical unicorn” pink glitter manicure – OPI’s Teenage Dream.

I also rocked the messy ballerina bun.

But now I’m back to reality and dealing with boring stuff like car repairs and catching up with work. But the trip isn’t a distant memory yet. I’m still lingering in the birthday fun vibes.

Hope you had a happy week too!